This archival, framed watercolor of birches was the highlight of the Library Auction, fetching $1,800 and valued at probably five or six times that by auctioneer Bob Smith of Montrose.
BY PAT FARNELLI
What can you purchase at a library auction fundraiser? Practically anything seems to be the answer.
The Montrose VFW Post #5642 was the setting for the annual benefit auction for the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association. Several hundred people attended the benefit, which offered dinner, a silent auction, door prizes, and hundreds of items for the highest bidder.
Everything from fine art, pickles, a car wash, books by local authors, an airplane tour of Susquehanna County, a free campsite weekend for a family of four, a stone wall built on your property by a master craftsman, desserts, a massage….all could be had for a competitive donation.
The most valuable item, a watercolor painting by Graydon Mayer, an artist who lived and painted in the Endless Mountains, fetched $1,800, but could have easily sold for $5,000 or more in New York City, auctioneer Bob Smith said.
A demonstration piece of an old house by the same artist, used for a watercolor class the same day he spotted the scene, sold for $1,200 a little while later.
A study of poppies by the late Colleen McCarthy, which was purported to be a print, sold for only $70 to Mr. and Mrs. Whitney, who felt that the vibrant work just might be an original, and an incredible steal.
A burl bowl, hand-carved from an enormous knot in a tree by Robert Mowry (“Burl Bob”), went for a fraction of its value, the auctioneers agreed, and so did a baker’s dozen of desserts, generously proportioned for a large family, for only $100.
There were numerous gift baskets, fresh floral arrangements, service packages, and gift certificates. Many would suit the most practical spender, like a car owner’s combo, a canopy covered swing bench from Tractor Supply, blankets or woven throws, or several tool sets.
Aiding the library staff were Katie Ruegner, auctioneers Smith and George Conner, the Montrose Area High School Future Business Leaders of America, and many volunteers.
The library and historical society hoped to beat last year’s gleanings of nearly $12,000. The counting is still in progress, but proceeds are estimated at $14,000.
Be the first to comment on "Library auction charms large crowd"